Post-Brexit Britain will be more bureaucratic. The recently published Government papers are full of new regulatory regimes, doubling up of registration and extra processes for British business and consumers. When Ministers say, like Dominic Raab: “the UK will be better off outside the EU in any scenario…” we all know these are meaningless words. It’s his job to say that sort of nonsense even if this is turning reality on its head.
For the Conservatives it’s too late to change direction. They know that their negotiating strategy has fallen apart. Focusing on the negative, like threats of a “no deal” have done, has alienated potential partners. During negotiations, blaming people for intransigence has been a diplomatic blunder of the first order. It’s reinforced the solidarity of the potential partners.
The first batch in a series of Technical Notices on “no deal” assume a great deal of good will on the part of the EU. Some of them ignore the constraints that apply because of existing legislation in Europe. In an emergency, circumventing Regulations can be done but its going to be hard if the only reasons are ideological and pressures are like a game of Russian roulette.
The UK voted to leave the European Union on 23 June 2016. The world of early 2019 will not be the same as the world of early 2016. Populism remains but its not gathering any head of steam. It’s a minority of ideological radicals who keep pushing their cherished project. We don’t have to accept their view of the world.
We need a #PeoplesVote. But we need a positive campaign about the benefits of European solidarity. A campaign must present the facts and expose the lies of the last referendum. Britain deserves better.
John Vincent 